Latest news with #EducationandHumanServices
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arkansas governor vetoes two more bills from 2025 legislative session
Sarah Huckabee Sanders addresses the crowd outside the State Capitol on Jan. 10, 2023, after she was sworn in as Arkansas' 47th governor. (Karen E. Segrave/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders vetoed two bills from the 2025 legislative session on Tuesday and returned them to their respective chambers. Both bills had emergency clauses, meaning they would have gone into effect immediately upon Sanders' signature. House Bill 1961 would have created limited reasons for medical providers to 'temporarily withhold a patient's medical records from being released directly to the patient or any individual authorized by the patient' for up to 30 days. Those reasons would have included the need to review a patient's medical information or discuss it with the patient, or if the provider 'reasonably believes that immediate disclosure of the medical records may lead to the patient's misinterpreting the information in a manner that could adversely affect the patient's health or safety.' 'Individuals have a right to access personal medical information, including medical imaging, test results, and other health records, in a timely fashion,' Sanders wrote in a letter explaining her decision not to sign HB 1961. 'Because this bill may, in some cases, unduly delay the release of such information to patients who are entitled to it, I am vetoing this legislation.' Senate Bill 451 would have required the state Education and Human Services departments to collaboratively establish 'regional behavioral health programs' to help public and charter schools determine how best to help students who display behavior 'substantially likely to cause injury to the student, other students, or staff.' It also would have required both state agencies to formulate behavioral health management plans for these students and help them transition back into school after the behavioral issue has been addressed. Sanders wrote in her veto letter that she understands the need for 'sufficient interventions' and has directed the Education and Human Services departments to 'come up with a solution that is more tailored to the needs of our local public schools' than SB 451. 'School administrators, teachers, and principals are increasingly managing student behavioral issues, including aggression and violence,' Sanders wrote. 'These issues cause disruptions in the academic environment, distracting from schools' core function: a safe environment where all students can learn.' Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, was SB 451's primary sponsor and said he appreciated Sanders' 'assurances that she understands the seriousness and the need for an immediate solution.' 'I'm less concerned with how it's done, just that it is done,' Hester said. SB 451 passed the Senate with a bipartisan majority of 30 votes, but it passed the House by the slimmest margin of 51 votes. Emergency clauses require two-thirds of lawmakers' support to pass, and the House voted three times before SB 451's emergency clause passed with 77 votes, 10 more than the minimum. Similarly, HB 1961 passed the House with 75 votes but scraped the minimum of 18 votes in the Senate. The emergency clause subsequently passed with 26 votes when 24 were needed. HB 1961 was sponsored by two pharmacists: Rep. Brandon Achor, R-Maumelle, and Sen. Justin Boyd, R-Fort Smith. The intent behind HB 1961 was to give medical professionals the opportunity to 'sit down and have a real conversation' about a patient's health needs, such as a cancer diagnosis, 'before this scary news or potentially unclear news gets uploaded into an electronic chart of some sort and becomes immediately available without the appropriate context and compassion and the human side of the doctor-patient relationship,' Boyd said Wednesday. He added that he might sponsor similar legislation in the future that addresses the governor's 'implementation concerns.' Arkansas elected officials reflect on achievements as session comes to a close Sanders issued two vetoes last week — one that vetoed a bill to legalize the delivery of medical marijuana or the purchase of it from a drive-thru, and a line-item veto eliminating the salary for the director of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Institute on Race and Ethnicity. A UALR spokesperson said the position was vacant and the university had not planned to fill it. Lawmakers can vote to override the governor's vetoes with a simple majority in both chambers before the sine die adjournment of a legislative session. Hester and Boyd said they do not expect to ask their colleagues to override the vetoes of their respective bills. The Legislature concluded its session and recessed April 16, and it will reconvene May 5 to handle any unfinished business before adjourning sine die. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Business Journals
21-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Wright State University names Jim Denniston provost, VP of student affairs
A major Dayton-area higher education institution has officially appointed a proven university leader to the permanent position of vice president for academic affairs and provost. A leading Dayton-area higher education institution has appointed a university leader as vice president for academic affairs and provost. Jim Denniston formally takes on the position effective immediately. He has been acting provost since Jan. 1, and members of Wright State's community have expressed positive feedback on his performance. In this role, Denniston will be responsible for overseeing and directing the university's academic programs, research and faculty. 'Wright State's mission to transform the lives of students and serve our region resonates with my passion for expanding educational opportunities and fostering academic excellence,' Denniston said. expand Jim Denniston is vice president for academic affairs and provost of Wright State University. Erin Pence Denniston first joined Wright State in 2022 as the founding dean of the College of Health, Education and Human Services. While in this role, he spearheaded the development of the college's first comprehensive strategic plan and restructured it into six schools to bolster student services and outcomes. He also launched the Bachelor of Science in Aviation Science and Technology program and co-led Wright State's Jed Campus initiative for supporting student mental health wellbeing. 'Dr. Denniston brings a set of shared values based on people, learning, relationships, sustainability and stewardship to the Office of Provost,' said Sue Edwards, president of Wright State. 'His experience developing transformational educational experiences and forging community partnerships will help our university further develop and enhance innovative academic programs that provide students with expanded educational and career opportunities.' expand Susan Edwards is president at Wright State University. Erin Pence Denniston, as a former psychology professor and chair at Appalachian State University, helped establish the university's clinical psychology doctoral program, an online bachelor of science in veterinary technology and overhauled the undergraduate psychology curriculum. He also served as a commissioner on the American Psychological Association's Commission on Accreditation. Denniston currently serves on the Dayton Regional STEM School board and is set to soon be appointed to the Goodwill Easterseals Miami Valley Board of Trustees. Denniston received his doctorate in cognitive psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, a master's degree in experimental psychology from Bucknell University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from New York University. He has mentored dozens of undergraduate researchers and has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles in associative learning. 'I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated faculty, staff and students to advance innovative programs, strengthen our community partnerships and ensure every student has access to a high-quality, affordable educational experience,' Denniston said. As of 2024, Wright State had approximately 11,800 students and nearly 2,000 staff members, according to DBJ research. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranked WSU's undergraduate engineering and nursing programs at No. 156 and No. 182, respectively, in its 2025 Best National University Rankings. Dayton-Area Colleges and Universities Total enrollment Rank Prior Rank Institution 1 2 Miami University 2 1 Sinclair Community College 3 4 Wright State University View this list
